The Kansas City "Raised Royal," Guidebook
Food scene
My fav place for coffee (try the mocha or breve latte), and the crepes are amaaaazing! I like the #10 Fromage. The building was a theatre historically.
56 locals recommend
Chez Elle Crêperie and Coffeehouse
1713 Summit StMy fav place for coffee (try the mocha or breve latte), and the crepes are amaaaazing! I like the #10 Fromage. The building was a theatre historically.
Located in the River Market district, City Market has it all! Fresh produce, a good variety of food options including Garozzo’s Italian Deli, Local Pig BBQ, City Market Coffee and Minsky’s Pizza.
98 locals recommend
City Market
20 E 5th StLocated in the River Market district, City Market has it all! Fresh produce, a good variety of food options including Garozzo’s Italian Deli, Local Pig BBQ, City Market Coffee and Minsky’s Pizza.
Local fav coffee shop with outdoor seating to people watch. Great on a nice day.
37 locals recommend
Broadway Cafe
4106 Broadway BlvdLocal fav coffee shop with outdoor seating to people watch. Great on a nice day.
Arguably the best BBQ in town. I can vouch for that. It's really good. Like, really good. lol.
257 locals recommend
Q39 - Midtown
1000 W 39th StArguably the best BBQ in town. I can vouch for that. It's really good. Like, really good. lol.
Great BBQ and atmosphere here. Firepit outside for the cold months. They pickle their own veggies and make everything from scratch. Must try their sauce, it's one of my favs.
102 locals recommend
Char Bar
4050 Pennsylvania AveGreat BBQ and atmosphere here. Firepit outside for the cold months. They pickle their own veggies and make everything from scratch. Must try their sauce, it's one of my favs.
Really great local butcher with a sandwich shop. I like to get their brats, steaks and of course bone marrow butter to grill at home.
15 locals recommend
Local Pig
20 East 5th StreetReally great local butcher with a sandwich shop. I like to get their brats, steaks and of course bone marrow butter to grill at home.
Tennessee style fried chicken is what they’re known for. Their only rival is MotherClucker @ Parlor.
Wingman Kitchen
4117 Pennsylvania AvenueTennessee style fried chicken is what they’re known for. Their only rival is MotherClucker @ Parlor.
This place is legendary. Yes, the Q is on point. The line wraps around the door on game days. It's in a gas station which is cool kitch factor and a slab and fries will run you right around $20! When I tell you this place is good, I mean it.
344 locals recommend
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
3002 W 47th AveThis place is legendary. Yes, the Q is on point. The line wraps around the door on game days. It's in a gas station which is cool kitch factor and a slab and fries will run you right around $20! When I tell you this place is good, I mean it.
Nashville hot fried chicken and traditional sides. Love how crispy they make it.
18 locals recommend
Nick and Jake's On Main
5031 Main StNashville hot fried chicken and traditional sides. Love how crispy they make it.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
4705 Rainbow BlvdGreat rolls. Gets busy on Friday nights.
1889 Pizza Napoletana
2876 W 47th AveNaples inspired wood fired pizza!
Ragazza Food & Wine
4301 Main StGreat little Italian spot close to the AirBnB.
Best Thai in KC. Hands down. Love this place. The owners are also pretty cool. Fresh food, great drinks, casual spot.
39 locals recommend
Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop
2030 Central StBest Thai in KC. Hands down. Love this place. The owners are also pretty cool. Fresh food, great drinks, casual spot.
Solar-powered vegan restaurant making international plates & smoothies from locally sourced veggies.
61 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude Kansas City
333 Southwest BlvdSolar-powered vegan restaurant making international plates & smoothies from locally sourced veggies.
Authentic, homemade Ethiopian and Caribbean cuisine with gourmet flair. Combining bold flavors, fine dining, and a relaxed ambiance, Mesob is an experience like no other.
Their menu offers tender lamb, beef and poultry spiced to perfection, and seafood so fresh and flavorful you can hear the ocean waves. Enjoy a variety of savory and satisfying vegan and vegetarian dishes.
6 locals recommend
Mesob
3601 Broadway BlvdAuthentic, homemade Ethiopian and Caribbean cuisine with gourmet flair. Combining bold flavors, fine dining, and a relaxed ambiance, Mesob is an experience like no other.
Their menu offers tender lamb, beef and poultry spiced to perfection, and seafood so fresh and flavorful you can hear the ocean waves. Enjoy a variety of savory and satisfying vegan and vegetarian dishes.
All kinds of tapas! Great sangria (red and white, get a pitcher). Not too pricey and a fun night out.
44 locals recommend
La Bodega
703 Southwest BlvdAll kinds of tapas! Great sangria (red and white, get a pitcher). Not too pricey and a fun night out.
Le Fou Frog
400 E 5th StA French culinary experience with libations!
Fancy bar for fancy folk, when they feel fancy (in a good way though). RSVP is a must for dinner. Bar, you're good to go.
20 locals recommend
Voltaire
1617 Genessee StFancy bar for fancy folk, when they feel fancy (in a good way though). RSVP is a must for dinner. Bar, you're good to go.
Open late nights. Little diner off of Broadway that's been there for years. Excellent drunk food. Popular little place after the bars.
41 locals recommend
Town Topic Hamburgers Broadway
2021 Broadway BlvdOpen late nights. Little diner off of Broadway that's been there for years. Excellent drunk food. Popular little place after the bars.
Neighborhoods
The Plaza is modeled after Seville, Spain and has great views, lots of shops and food. Decent amount of parking and of course Apple and Starbucks.
89 locals recommend
Country Club Plaza
The Plaza is modeled after Seville, Spain and has great views, lots of shops and food. Decent amount of parking and of course Apple and Starbucks.
Thrift stores, bars, food, coffee shops (+10 Walkability, -10 parking).
133 locals recommend
Old Westport
Thrift stores, bars, food, coffee shops (+10 Walkability, -10 parking).
On the First Friday of every month, thousands of residents and visitors fill the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City to enjoy what has become the City’s most dynamic and popular event: #firstfridayskc. Our community comes alive as arts organizations, galleries, studios, and a wide variety of businesses in the district feature local, regional, national, and international artists.
158 locals recommend
Crossroads
On the First Friday of every month, thousands of residents and visitors fill the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City to enjoy what has become the City’s most dynamic and popular event: #firstfridayskc. Our community comes alive as arts organizations, galleries, studios, and a wide variety of businesses in the district feature local, regional, national, and international artists.
The buzzing Power & Light District is home to the Sprint Center, drawing big crowds for basketball games and concerts. Nearby, the College Basketball Experience tells the history of the sport through interactive exhibits.
Cocktail bars and steakhouses in the area have a party vibe, and there are clubs for late-night dancing and live music.
397 locals recommend
Power and Light District
The buzzing Power & Light District is home to the Sprint Center, drawing big crowds for basketball games and concerts. Nearby, the College Basketball Experience tells the history of the sport through interactive exhibits.
Cocktail bars and steakhouses in the area have a party vibe, and there are clubs for late-night dancing and live music.
Home to KC's historic jazz district and the Negro Leagues MLB Hall of Fame.
46 locals recommend
18th And Vine And Downtown East
Home to KC's historic jazz district and the Negro Leagues MLB Hall of Fame.
The Farmer's Market and plenty of restaurant options are here. On weekends local vendors sell produce and there are lots of people walking around enjoying the area. There's also an antique mall, coffee shops, an asian market and plenty of bars.
226 locals recommend
River Market
The Farmer's Market and plenty of restaurant options are here. On weekends local vendors sell produce and there are lots of people walking around enjoying the area. There's also an antique mall, coffee shops, an asian market and plenty of bars.
This was the old shipping and stockyard for KC. Now there are bars and lofts in the area. It's an up-and-coming artists kinda vibe. I remember there were lots of underground parties in some of those empty buildings ; )
79 locals recommend
West Bottoms
This was the old shipping and stockyard for KC. Now there are bars and lofts in the area. It's an up-and-coming artists kinda vibe. I remember there were lots of underground parties in some of those empty buildings ; )
Good Times
American grub, draft beers & cocktails served in an industrial game-day hub with TVs & a roof deck.
42 locals recommend
Westport Ale House
4128 Broadway BlvdAmerican grub, draft beers & cocktails served in an industrial game-day hub with TVs & a roof deck.
Modern cantina with a hipster vibe offers eclectic, rustic Mexican fare & a fun bar scene.
Started as KC’s most talked about concept dining experience—authentic Mexican cuisine served from a custom Airstream trailer. It was so good they turned it into a restaurant/bar!
38 locals recommend
Port Fonda
4141 Pennsylvania AveModern cantina with a hipster vibe offers eclectic, rustic Mexican fare & a fun bar scene.
Started as KC’s most talked about concept dining experience—authentic Mexican cuisine served from a custom Airstream trailer. It was so good they turned it into a restaurant/bar!
This place has great food and a nice outdoor space for hanging out. It's in the middle of Westport (+10 people watching).
7 locals recommend
Mickey's Hideaway
4057 Pennsylvania AveThis place has great food and a nice outdoor space for hanging out. It's in the middle of Westport (+10 people watching).
Shows. Both indoor and outdoor. Little hole in the wall bar for the nocturnal.
30 locals recommend
The Riot Room
4048 Broadway BlvdShows. Both indoor and outdoor. Little hole in the wall bar for the nocturnal.
Percheron is located on top of the Crossroads Hotel. It's a rooftop beer garden, with amazing outdoor spaces designed to maximize the city-sweeping downtown views. While you take it all in, enjoy frozen cocktails or craft beers with light bites. Relax with a friend or try carefully curated activities all suited for group fun.
Named for the famed horses of the Pabst Brewery, a breed known for its intelligence and liveliness.
9 locals recommend
Percheron Rooftop Bar
2101 Central StPercheron is located on top of the Crossroads Hotel. It's a rooftop beer garden, with amazing outdoor spaces designed to maximize the city-sweeping downtown views. While you take it all in, enjoy frozen cocktails or craft beers with light bites. Relax with a friend or try carefully curated activities all suited for group fun.
Named for the famed horses of the Pabst Brewery, a breed known for its intelligence and liveliness.
Cool spot for date night. Rooftop bar, wear something fly. Also has a restaurant with a vault where gangsters from the 30s-40s used to have their meetings (no one listening in).
21 locals recommend
Crossroads Hotel
2101 Central StCool spot for date night. Rooftop bar, wear something fly. Also has a restaurant with a vault where gangsters from the 30s-40s used to have their meetings (no one listening in).
Parlor is a food court minus the mall. The other big difference is that there's a bar and all the food is amazing. I personally like MotherClucker (real name and well deserved). There are many other food options like ramen, burgers, pizza, tacos and veggie friendly options.
41 locals recommend
Parlor
1707 Locust StParlor is a food court minus the mall. The other big difference is that there's a bar and all the food is amazing. I personally like MotherClucker (real name and well deserved). There are many other food options like ramen, burgers, pizza, tacos and veggie friendly options.
Green Lady Lounge
1809 Grand BlvdClassy joint. Live music and crooners. Old school cool.
Neon-lit nightclub with a high-energy dance floor & DJs, plus a VIP room with bottle service.
9 locals recommend
Aura Kansas City Nightclub
3832 Main StNeon-lit nightclub with a high-energy dance floor & DJs, plus a VIP room with bottle service.
Local pizza hangout with a good outdoor space for live music. I saw the Black Keys play here (I know, right?)
59 locals recommend
Grinders Pizza
417 E 18th StLocal pizza hangout with a good outdoor space for live music. I saw the Black Keys play here (I know, right?)
Up Down
101 Southwest BlvdArcade bar in the Crossroads. Fun.
LGBTQ American fare bar & grill where diner classics & cocktails meet quirky drag diva entertainment.
17 locals recommend
Hamburger Mary's
3700 Broadway BlvdLGBTQ American fare bar & grill where diner classics & cocktails meet quirky drag diva entertainment.
LGBTQ Kitschy nightclub attracting a diverse crowd featuring burlesque, karaoke and drag performers.
37 locals recommend
Missie B's
805 W 39th StLGBTQ Kitschy nightclub attracting a diverse crowd featuring burlesque, karaoke and drag performers.
J. RIEGER & CO. was the largest mail-order whiskey house in the US prior to prohibition in 1920. They're KC's first distillery in nearly a century. Cool place. Great whiskey. Be fancy.
18 locals recommend
J. Rieger & Co.
2700 Guinotte AveJ. RIEGER & CO. was the largest mail-order whiskey house in the US prior to prohibition in 1920. They're KC's first distillery in nearly a century. Cool place. Great whiskey. Be fancy.
The Kauffman Center, home to resident organizations the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony, and other innovative programming. Oh you fancy, huh?!
166 locals recommend
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
1601 Broadway BlvdThe Kauffman Center, home to resident organizations the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony, and other innovative programming. Oh you fancy, huh?!
Originally built in the 1930s, The Truman features a large main hall, separate bar & lounge at the main entrance, open air patio, and second story VIP area that overlooks the main room and stage while offering views of downtown Kansas City.
The Truman
601 E Truman RdOriginally built in the 1930s, The Truman features a large main hall, separate bar & lounge at the main entrance, open air patio, and second story VIP area that overlooks the main room and stage while offering views of downtown Kansas City.
"Grand Ole Opry," themed western bar with a wide beer, whiskey and tequila selection plus pub fare, a jukebox and live music. Their whiskey gingers are top notch (real ginger beer).
30 locals recommend
Harry's Country Club
112 E Missouri Ave"Grand Ole Opry," themed western bar with a wide beer, whiskey and tequila selection plus pub fare, a jukebox and live music. Their whiskey gingers are top notch (real ginger beer).
Located in the West Bottoms, the ship is the place to hear good music and dance. They play a good mix of soul, afro-beat and underground music that will keep you moving. Sometimes they have performances in the alley just behind the building. Just a good time.
58 locals recommend
The Ship
1221 Union AveLocated in the West Bottoms, the ship is the place to hear good music and dance. They play a good mix of soul, afro-beat and underground music that will keep you moving. Sometimes they have performances in the alley just behind the building. Just a good time.
Lucky Boys
1615 Genessee StGood food, great drinks, rock'n'roll, local vibe...
Ya like dags? lol. If you do, then bring your furry friend(s) to BarK. It's a unique container park made for dogs (and humans too). They have a bar and a special menu for your pup. They also have washing stations and specialized areas for interactions and play.
And yes, you can go without a dog if you like...
27 locals recommend
Bar K
501 Berkley PkwyYa like dags? lol. If you do, then bring your furry friend(s) to BarK. It's a unique container park made for dogs (and humans too). They have a bar and a special menu for your pup. They also have washing stations and specialized areas for interactions and play.
And yes, you can go without a dog if you like...
Live music, drinks, train tracks right next to the outdoor stage. A unique experience if you dig gritty shows.
41 locals recommend
Knuckleheads Saloon
2715 Rochester AveLive music, drinks, train tracks right next to the outdoor stage. A unique experience if you dig gritty shows.
Sports
Home of the CHIIIIIEFS!!! Get there early to tailgate (expect to pay for parking whether tailgating or not).
188 locals recommend
Arrowhead Stadium
1 Arrowhead DrHome of the CHIIIIIEFS!!! Get there early to tailgate (expect to pay for parking whether tailgating or not).
Kauffman Stadium
1 Royal WayHome of the MLB World Series winning KC Royals!
The T-Mobile/Sprint Center is in the Power & Light district. There are NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA exhibition games, concerts and comedy shows at this venue...
113 locals recommend
Sprint Center
1407 Grand BlvdThe T-Mobile/Sprint Center is in the Power & Light district. There are NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA exhibition games, concerts and comedy shows at this venue...
Children's Mercy Park
1 Sporting WayGooooooooooooooooooooooal!!!!!!
Sightseeing
Great to visit on a sunny or cool day. They have a beautiful garden and a park nearby for kids.
213 locals recommend
Jacob L. Loose Park
5200 Wornall RdGreat to visit on a sunny or cool day. They have a beautiful garden and a park nearby for kids.
KC's premier art museum (also right next to the Kemper Museum of modern art). Exhibitions from all over the world come here on display. An excellent day or evening field trip with a great outdoor greenspace. Some weekends they host yoga in the park.
674 locals recommend
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak StKC's premier art museum (also right next to the Kemper Museum of modern art). Exhibitions from all over the world come here on display. An excellent day or evening field trip with a great outdoor greenspace. Some weekends they host yoga in the park.
Paradise Garden Club is an urban nursery and public home to all types of growers. They sell plants, share knowledge and support the community. They have events sometimes and also have a youth program that teaches kids about gardening.
Paradise Garden Club
1621 Locust StParadise Garden Club is an urban nursery and public home to all types of growers. They sell plants, share knowledge and support the community. They have events sometimes and also have a youth program that teaches kids about gardening.
The WWI Memorial is a great visit with a park surrounding it. If you're up for a walk/jog it's hard to beat.
400 locals recommend
National WWI Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial DrThe WWI Memorial is a great visit with a park surrounding it. If you're up for a walk/jog it's hard to beat.
Union Station has so much history and so much to do. There’s a movie theatre, Science City for the kids, a coffee shop, restaurants and a post office. It’s a functional Amtrak station also so if you’re feeling adventurous you can explore America via rail.
290 locals recommend
Union Station Kansas City
30 W Pershing RdUnion Station has so much history and so much to do. There’s a movie theatre, Science City for the kids, a coffee shop, restaurants and a post office. It’s a functional Amtrak station also so if you’re feeling adventurous you can explore America via rail.
Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri is an amazing experience. It’s a day trip so be ready for a drive.
Holladay Distillery
1 Mc Cormick LnHolladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri is an amazing experience. It’s a day trip so be ready for a drive.
The Kansas City Zoo is an award winning non-profit zoo offering wonderful exhibits and attractions. The Zoo is conveniently located in historic Swope Park.
214 locals recommend
Kansas City Zoo
6800 Zoo DrThe Kansas City Zoo is an award winning non-profit zoo offering wonderful exhibits and attractions. The Zoo is conveniently located in historic Swope Park.
City advice
Don't miss
First Fridays @ Crossroads KC!
On the First Friday of every month, thousands of residents and visitors fill the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City to enjoy what has become the City’s most dynamic and popular event.
Our community comes alive as arts organizations, galleries, studios, and a wide variety of businesses in the district feature local, regional, national, and international artists.
*Art Alleys and the Food Truck Plaza close at 9:00 PM
Getting around
The Streetcar is FREE!
Be sure to use our public transit as the streetcar and metro bus are free of charge. Awesome, right?!
There are also Bird Scooters you can use to get around.
Most of KC area you will want to Uber or drive as things are pretty spread out here in the Midwest.
Don't miss
March Madness | Big 12 Basketball
Every year KC has hosted the NCAA March Madness Big 12 Tournament. If you dig college basketball, this is the place.
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship to be contested March 9-12, 2022 in Kansas City's T-Mobile Center.